The Science of Getting Rich

About This Book

The Science of Getting Rich is a practical guide to the mental and spiritual approach on how to become rich. The author writes that the poverty-stricken (and even the middle class) should be the ones to feel guilty by not living up to their true potential as Thinking Beings.

Wattles says his book is “Intended for the men and women whose most pressing need is for money; who wish to get rich first, and philosophise afterward. It is pragmatical, not philosophical; a practical manual, not a lot of theory. It is for those who have, so far, found neither the time, the means, nor the opportunity to go deeply into the study of metaphysics, but who want prosperous results and who are willing to take the conclusions of science as a basis for action.”

“Whatever may be said in praise of poverty, the fact remains that it is not possible to live a really complete or successful life unless one is rich. You cannot rise to your greatest possible height in talent or soul development unless you have plenty of money. For to unfold your soul and to develop talent you must have many things to use, and you cannot have these things unless you have money with which to buy them.”

Wattles died not long after the 1910 publication of this book, but as you’ll see in reading this wonderful book, his teachings and philosophy easily stand the test of time. 

About the Author

Wallace Delois Wattles (1860–1911) was an American author and a New Thought writer whose works have been widely quoted in self-help movements. 

Wattles’ daughter, Florence, described her father’s life in a “Letter” that was published shortly after his death in the New Thought magazine Nautilus. Florence wrote that “he made lots of money, and had good health, except for his extreme frailty” in the three years before he died, in 1911. His death at age 51 was called “untimely” by his daughter; during the previous year he had not only published two books – The Science of Being Welland The Science of Getting Rich – but he had also run for public office.

Wattles had studied the writings of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel and Ralph Waldo Emerson, and recommended the study of their books to his readers who wished to understand what he characterized as “the monistic theory of the cosmos.”

Through his personal study and experimentation Wattles claimed to have discovered the truth of New Thought principles and put them into practice in his own life. His daughter Florence recalled that “he lived every page” of his books.

A practical author, Wattles encouraged his readers to test his theories on themselves rather than take his word as an authority, and he claimed to have tested his methods on himself and others before publishing them.

Wattles practiced the technique of creative visualization. In his daughter Florence's words, he “formed a mental picture” or visual image, and then “worked toward the realization of this vision.” He wrote almost constantly. It was then that he formed his mental picture. He saw himself as a successful writer, a personality of power, an advancing man, and he began to work toward the realization of this vision. He lived every page ... his life was truly the powerful life.

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